The Royal Contract

But he had no ill intention of adopting this method. He just wanted to make sure Haley was safe at all times. In the meantime, it was the best he could do since he could not physically be with her.

"Gerald, have you heard a word I said." His friend spoke louder this time since he had failed to acknowledge him earlier.

He turned off the laptop and closed the lid before his eyes focused on his friend. Of course, he had heard his every word. He even understood what he told him.

But it did mean that he should act on it immediately. He knew some circumstances required rushed decisions, but this was not one of those times.

He moved out of his chair and walked over to his favorite window, staring at the street below him. Unfortunately, he still had to come up with a new plan.

"I am not deaf, Mike." He answered indifferently, not wanting the news to distract him from his goal. "Don\'t worry. I will deal with it accordingly."

His friend had grown quiet, but he sensed his presence as he started pacing the small room of his living quarters.

He could tell his friend was worried for him. He was too. But letting his emotions overwhelm him would not solve the problem. He needed to stay calm and sharp to produce a new strategy.

"Don\'t worry." Mike lost it. "How can you calmly say that?" He shouted this time, appearing to be losing his cool.

He sighed, feeling his friend\'s frustration. But could he blame him? No, he could not since his friend was only looking after him.

Honestly, he knew this incident would be a big problem for him. But losing focus would not help him resolve the issue.

"Because somehow, we will figure this out," Gerald assured his friend as he moved away from the window and returned to his table. "We always do."

He had always been confident about his plans. That was how his father raised him, at least the man who had mentored him in this world of crime.

Joaquin would always remind him that he needed to be the best. He could let anyone dictate his actions. He should never doubt himself. His decisions must always have his full backing.

"You have to trust me." Gerald knew what he was asking of his friend.

And so far, Mike had no reason to question his decisions. But it did not mean that he was always right. Therefore, he could not be blind to his mistakes.

That was why his father would always ask about his backup plan because there was always the likelihood that the first plan would fail.

"But..." His friend was ready to argue for more. But he stopped, probably sensing he would not win.

"No more buts," Gerald said as he grabbed some files on his desk. "Let us try to come up with something." He could not see the point of dwelling on matters he had no answers yet.

He looked at the only few pieces of evidence they had recovered so far. Unfortunately, it was not much since the most valuable files he collected had been missing. Somehow, Don, Mike, or one of his men must have discovered his secret safe and cracked it open.

"But what about those missing files?" Mike asked, still bothered by it.

He also thought about those documents. But unlike him, Mike had no idea what the rest of those files contained. It was mostly his files against his enemies.

But in the wrong hands, whoever had it could also use it against him. They could implicate him if they knew how to interpret the information and look for the right clues.

"I am still thinking," Gerald answered his friend. He knew those files were supposed to be his ticket out of this world. But sadly, he lost them.

Now, it seemed he would need to dig more for more evidence. And it was not looking good for him if he could not convince the authorities that he was still a valuable asset to them.

"But don\'t worry. Those files would not implicate your name in any criminal proceedings if they suddenly leaked into the public or landed in the hands of the legal authorities." Gerald assured his friend.

Nothing on those files would show that Mike had been a valuable member of his organization. He made sure of that.

Therefore, as far as the authorities were concerned, he only used him for legal counsel. Even their enemies had no clue of his deep involvement in his life. To them, he was just his connection in the legal system.

"That is not my concern." Mike planted his fist on the table as he stared down at him. "I am thinking about you. How much of your involvement would incriminate you in those papers?"

He knew there was a possibility that his enemies could bury him with this information. "I will not worry about that until it is necessary." But he would not disclose that to his friend.

However, he would still prepare for the worse. But for now, he wanted to dwell on what he could do and plan for it. So far, the most impending was his meeting with the authorities.

He knew they would expect the evidence that would finally put the major players\' heads in the underworld on a silver platter. But was this enough? He doubted.

"I don\'t know how you can act like this is not a big deal. You can end up in jail, not for ten years but a lifetime with no parole. That is if your enemies do not find you and kill you first." Mike reasoned with him.

"I agree with you, Mike. That is why we are trying to figure out who took them. So we can take it back. If not, create a backup plan." He wanted to neutralize the situation and calm his friend down.

Finally, after a few more explanations, Mike settled down. He sat opposite his desk and worked on the papers before them.

"I don\'t think this would work." Even Mike thought so. It was not enough to inconclusively put his enemies behind bars.

"Let me worry about that." Gerald closed the files and placed them inside a bag. Then, he walked toward his friend, tapping him on the shoulder. "I appreciate everything you have done for me."

Then, he moved toward the window again, staring at the graffiti on the walls. "But for now, let me handle this while you worry about living your life and staying alive. Besides, I think you still have a girl to look for." He said without looking at his friend.

"But you still need me," Mike stated, unable to believe he was letting him go.

"Of course, I will always need you. But let me handle this for now." Gerald believed that if his plans had gone south, he did not want his friend to get involved.

"But there is one thing I will ask of you." He finally turned to look at his friend. "If something happens to me, take care of Haley and my son."

His eyes turned again to the window, but all he could see was the woman he loved carrying their child. He wished to be present in her delivery and see his child be born into the world.

But if that was not even possible.

He hoped Mike could guarantee their safety and future. He had already arranged everything. All Mike had to do was execute his last will.

"You know I will never let anything happen to them," Mike assured him. "You know I never loved a woman before, but Haley is a witch." His friend shook his head.

He understood what his friend was saying. Haley managed to get to him. She had sneaked into his friend\'s heart just like she crawled into his cold heart.

She had bewitched them. Now, both of them swore to protect her with their lives.

"I know." That was all he could say.

"But nothing romantic or anything, just like a little sister," Mike explained. "She gets on your nerves and sticks there. Eventually, you know you can\'t live without her." He elaborated, voicing what he felt about her.

"You don\'t have to explain, Mike. Haley is someone special." He could admit that now. He loved her and would love her until the day he died.

Suddenly, he wished he could turn back time. So he could say what he felt for this incredible woman. Nevertheless, he hoped he would still have the chance if he could pull through with his plans.

He dreamt of a new life for himself and his family.